Cornell University

Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science

The Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science (KIC) is devoted to the development and utilization of next-generation tools for exploring the nanoscale world. Led by KIC Director Paul McEuen and Co-Director David Muller, the institute is focused on creating new techniques to image and dynamically control nanoscale systems, and using these techniques to push the frontiers of nanoscale science. Its initial emphasis is on next-generation electron-beam and optical microscopy, physical and electronic measurement and manipulation, and optoelectronic nanocharacterization.

KIC is member of Cornell’s extraordinary community of research and facilities in nanofabrication (Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility and National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network), nanoscale materials (Cornell Center for Materials Research), and mission-oriented centers (Center for Nanoscale Systems, Energy Materials Center at Cornell, KAUST-Cornell Center for Energy and Sustainability and the Nanobiotechnology Center). Open to all members of the Cornell nanoscale community, its approach is to fund small, innovative teams to develop cross-cutting approaches to science at the boundaries of nanoscale imaging and control. These come in two types: Fellow Projects and Instrumentation Projects. Typically involving faculty both within and outside KIC, high risk/high payoff projects are strongly encouraged.

"The unique role of the Kavli Institute at Cornell will be to identify particular areas of nanoscale science research that are at a stage where there is an exceptional opportunity for groundbreaking progress."

KIC’s Membership consists of six full-time faculty working in partnership with the entire Cornell nano community. Along with McEuen (Professor, Physics) and Muller (Professor, Applied and Engineering Physics), membership includes Michal Lipson (Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering) and Dan Ralph (Professor, Physics). Said Robert Buhrman, Senior Vice Provost for Research at Cornell, "The unique role of the Kavli Institute at Cornell will be to identify particular areas of nanoscale science research that are at a stage where there is an exceptional opportunity for groundbreaking progress."